cat welcome.txt

Bridging Neural Circuits to Behavior

// We unravel the intricate mysteries of neural circuits and behavior. // From the connections between neurons to the complex behaviors they give rise to. // We advance scientific knowledge and contribute to a deeper understanding of brain health and disease.

$ ./explore_research.sh $ cat publications.txt
// 01 — mission.c

Dedicated to Discovery

// Our interdisciplinary team explores the inner workings of the brain through cutting-edge techniques.

Neural Circuit Mapping

Investigating the intricate connections between neurons across cortical layers and brain regions using advanced optogenetic and electrophysiological techniques.

#optogenetics #patch-clamp #circuit-tracing

Behavioral Neuroscience

Linking neural activity to complex behaviors — from simple reflexes to cognitive functions — using awake behaving animal models and precise behavioral assays.

#motor-behavior #sensory-processing #decision-making

Brain Health & Disease

Contributing to the understanding of neurological disorders including epilepsy, schizophrenia, and focal cortical dysplasia through mechanistic circuit studies.

#epilepsy #schizophrenia #FCD
50
publications
22
years_research
8
lab_members
NIH·NSF
federally_funded
// 02 — featured_paper.py

Featured Work

// A prefrontal motor circuit that initiates persistent movement — led by graduate student Yihan Wang.

Nature Communications · 2024

A Prefrontal Motor Circuit Initiates Persistent Movement

Using single-unit extracellular recordings and opto-tagging in awake mice, we demonstrated that dorsal mPFC motor cortex projecting (MP) neurons initiate persistent movement by selectively encoding contextual information rather than natural valence.

Yihan Wang & Qian-Quan Sun — Published online 19 June 2024

$ open paper.pdf
Multicolor fluorescence microscopy of neurons
// 02b — principal_investigator.sh

Principal Investigator

Qian-Quan Sun, terminal phosphor portrait

Qian-Quan Sun, Ph.D.

$ Principal Investigator · University of Wyoming

// Leads the Sun Lab in studying how neural circuits drive behavior — bridging electrophysiology, optogenetics, and in vivo imaging from synapse to action.

$ cat team.txt $ ./explore_research.sh
// 03 — gallery/

Through the Microscope

// Visualizing the beautiful complexity of neural architecture.

Neurons labeled with red and blue fluorescence
// neuron_red_blue.png
Gold-stained neuron dendrites
// neuron_gold.png
Red-channel neuron fluorescence
// neuron_red_channel.png
Cortical projection neurons labeled with red fluorophore
// cortical_projection.tif
Red-labeled neurons across a cortical column
// cortical_column.tif
3D reconstruction of a dye-filled neuron among red-labeled cells
// neuron_3D_recon.tif

Join Our Journey of Discovery

// We invite you to explore our ongoing research projects and learn more about the fascinating depths of the brain.

$ ./contact.sh $ cat team.txt